Chitty Chitty Bang Bang soars into Toon

Paul Larkin

One of the world's most iconic cars flies into the North East today in top gear for a fantasmagorical few days of fun.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the magic motor with wings, introduced in Ian Fleming’s classic story and made famous in the 1968 musical movie of the same name, lands at Newcastle's Theatre Royal for its stage adaptation until Sunday, June 12.

Michelle Collins as Baroness Bomburst

Sensational sets and stunning special effects are promised and, of course, there's the memorable score by the Sherman Brothers, which includes such standards as Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain and the Oscar-nominated title song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman also wrote music and lyrics for Mary Poppins, The Slipper and the Rose, The Aristocats and The Jungle Book, and won two Academy Awards with a further nine nominations, two Grammy Awards and they have received 21 gold and platinum albums.

An impressive cast will be joining Chitty on the Theatre Royal stage. Lee Mead (Casualty, Legally Blond, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) will play Caractacus Potts and Michelle Collins (EastEnders, Coronation Street) as Baroness Bomburst.

Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Miserables, War of the Worlds) will play Truly Scrumptious with Shaun Williamson (The Railway Children, Eastenders) will play Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst.

Andy Hockley as Grandpa Potts (centre).

This new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is directed by West Yorkshire Playhouse artistic director James Brining, with new choreography by Stephen Mear. The orchestra is under the musical supervision of Stephen Ridley. Set and costume design is by Simon Higlett, lighting design is by Tim Mitchell, sound design is by Ben Harrison and video design is by Simon Wainwright.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from today (Wednesday, June 1) until Sunday, June 12. Tickets are from £23.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).